Meet the Faculty – Q&A with Kathy Miller

We are proud to have Kathy as our Early Childhood extended care teacher.

What is your favorite quote about teaching or education?

“My hunch is that if we allow ourselves to give who we really are to the children in our care, we will in some way inspire cartwheels in their hearts.” — Fred Rogers

How did you first hear about Waldorf education?

When Gaby was 3 years old and Jordan Judy was 3 months, we attended the play group class at Prairie Hill Waldorf School in Wisconsin. I’ve become hooked on Waldorf Education since that time.

How long have you been teaching? How long have you been teaching at SGWS?

I’ve been involved with little people over 20 years. I worked as a primary caregiver at a family daycare center in Australia. During my 7 years there, I worked toward an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. When I moved to the U.S., I attended college and received a BA in Early Childhood Education. During this time I worked at the Children’s Center on campus and after my 6th year there, became the Lead Teacher of the infant toddler program. After my girls were born, I found Waldorf Education. In 2008, I graduated from the “Lifeways” training in Wisconsin and became a caregiver and later Director of the Early Childhood Lifeways Center in Hartland, Wisconsin. We moved to Ohio about 1-1/2 years ago and I’ve been blessed to become part of our Early Childhood faculty. The little people continue to teach me and it is through them I continue to learn through my work and play.

What is the most interesting thing about you that most people don’t know?

I am an Aussie and I have a twin brother. I enjoy learning about Reiki and practice Hands of Healing. I enjoy learning about the properties of crystals and essential oils.

What has changed about Spring Garden since you started working here?

The communication lines have been opened! It is wonderful to receive updates about SGWS from John [Bailey]. Ross and I also find the classroom teacher updates informative. It’s wonderful to receive a glimpse of the main lesson content and also what the kindergarten class is doing in their daily Rhythm.

What is your dream for the future of Spring Garden?

To have a Kinder House!! An Early Childhood building that has a Lifeways Center: birth through nursery preschool age. To educate parents about the importance of the early years (birth through 7 years). Parents have become lost in our society, gobbled up and pressured into producing little adults out of our young children. The simplicity of childhood is disappearing.

What is your favorite subject to teach?

Infants, Toddlers and Preschoolers. These little people have been my teachers for many, many years.

What is your favorite food or favorite meal?

Anything. I love food! Sweets are my favorite.

Who is the person that has had a profound effect on your life and choice of path? Why?

I knew I wanted to work with children from a very young age. Susan, a very close friend of mine who has since passed, also told me to love and enjoy my work, follow my passions in life and remember “not to take myself too seriously” along the way. Laugh and have fun!